How often should I clean my gutters?

At least once a year, and twice where there are overhanging trees. The right interval is whatever keeps water flowing during a heavy storm.

Last reviewed 2026-07-15

The purpose is drainage capacity, not appearance. A partly blocked gutter overflows at the fascia, which is where rot and foundation problems begin.

Watch the house during heavy rain. Overflow points tell you where the blockage is more reliably than looking from the ground.